Dr. Mackenzie Patrick (October 2, 1987-August 16, 2024) was force of nature. We are extremely fortunate to have had her as a member of our research group for over 7 years as a PhD student, postdoctoral researcher, mentor, and friend. She was a part of our university departmental community for 14 years also as an undergraduate honours student and researcher, master’s thesis student, teaching assistant. She held over 20 awards and scholarships including two from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and a Geological Association of Canada Graduate Scholarship in Environmental Science. A very deep thinker and curious about many things, she made significant contributions across fields. This included the application of thermodynamic modelling approaches to understanding the history of ancient mountain building. Applying her geochemical prowess to environmental problems, Mackenzie contributed significantly to our understanding of climate change impacts on boreal forest soil carbon stores. For over 8 years she was an enthusiastic laboratory teacher and mentor in our 1000-3000 level courses including mineralogy, thermodynamics, and geochemistry. During her time with us she had a tremendous impact on many through formal teaching and training, astute research contributions, and as an advocate for mental health supports and accommodations. For example, she led the Green Mindfulness program for two years teaching mindfulness and mental health to MUN students through gardening. She was a multifaceted individual who was passionate about many things including music, plants, and vintage clothing. However, Mackenzie faced some major challenges in her short life; she demonstrated tremendous courage and fortitude in overcoming these while maintaining her abundance of joyfulness and passions. Her many accomplishments in academic science and life continue to serve as an inspiration to many who have had the distinct honour and pleasure to have known her as a mentee, mentor, peer, colleague, and friend
Patrick, M.E., Myers-Pigg, A., Gates, Z.X., Gaviria, C., Morry, A.K, Prestegaard, K. and S.E. Ziegler (2024) Hillslope hydrologic influences on soil carbon content informs climate impacts on boreal forest mineral soil stocks. Revision in review for Geoderma
Patrick, M.E. (2023) The roles of parent material, climate, and geomorphology in soil organic carbon response to short-term climate change in moist boreal forests. PhD Thesis. Memorial University of Newfoundland. http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/16320
Patrick, M.E., Young, C., Zimmerman A. and S.E. Ziegler (2022) Mineralogic controls are harbingers of hydrological controls on soil organic matter content in warmer boreal forests. Geoderma 425: 116059 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2022.116059
Patrick, M.E. and A. Indares (2017) Petrography and phase equilibria modeling of mid-P aluminous gneisses derived from hydrothermally altered protoliths, Grenville Province, Canada. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences 54(11): https://doi.org/10.1139/cjes-2016-0162
Patrick, M.E. (2016) Metamorphic investigation of mid-P aluminous gneisses from the central Grenville Province. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.http://research.library.mun.ca/id/eprint/11933
Dr. Mackenzie Patrick
beautiful, bright, and intelligent woman
a bright energy supporting a deep, multifaceted intelligence
an intelligence paired with curiosity
courageously curious and passionate about so many things
beautiful things
things that connect and feedback
exploring geologic underpinnings supporting climate feedbacks
modest, curious and courageous woman
a powerful small package with incredible flexibility and breadth of intelligence
an intelligence paired with responsibility
sharing and care – promoting confidence in other young budding scientists
undaunted humanity
generously sharing experiences and skills
making the most of time and brain power to understand Earth systems
ever-expanding dynamo of a woman
liveliness supporting buoyancy lifting herself and those around her
confidence paired with extreme modesty
“Oh, I’m not smart enough for all that” – overcome by focussed hard work
experienced confidence
combined with abundant joyfulness fueling creativity
inspiring understanding of the nature of boreal forest soil carbon stores
loving, open and passionate woman
raising a wonderful daughter and pursuing science that matters to her
confidence paired with an ardour for life
the true nature of a successful mother and scientist
headlong enthusiasm
sustaining tremendous courage and productivity
modelling what it is to be a good mother, scientist, mentor, and colleague
generous, bright rising star
we miss you dearly
we hold your joyfulness, energy, and curiosity close
It lives on in our relationships and our science
